Excessive Coughing in Dogs

Occasional coughing in dogs is normal. A dog might cough if something is stuck in its windpipe or if it is pulling too hard on its leash. If the cough becomes excessive, it could be time to see a veterinarian for a check-up. Many canine illnesses are treatable if caught early, so taking your dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of illness can prevent more serious health problems.

  1. Causes

    • Excessive coughing in dogs has a number of causes, some minor and some serious. Minor causes include drinking water too fast, which causes a dog to cough and splutter. The most common causes of excessive coughing in dogs include tonsillitis, tooth and mouth infections, kennel cough, internal parasites, allergies, tracheal collapse, congestive heart disease, lung tumors and distemper, says veterinarian Ron Hines on his website 2ndChance.info.

    Identification

    • Most causes of excessive coughing have other symptoms. These include depression, runny nose, sneezing, weight gain or loss, pale or bluish gums, enlarged tonsils, inflamed eyes, crusty nose, abnormal pulse and fever, Hines says. Telling your veterinarian about any symptoms other than excessive coughing might help speed up diagnosis.

    Diagnosis

    • In order to determine the cause of your dog's excessive coughing, the veterinarian may wish to perform some diagnostic tests. The types of test the vet might consider include chest X-rays, complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, urinalysis, heartworm test and fecal examination, says veterinarian Scott Alan McKay on PetEducation.com. If the problem is severe, the veterinarian might conduct additional tests such as a diagnostic ultrasound, a lung biopsy, a laryngoscopy or a trans-tracheal wash.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for the dog's cough depends on the cause of the cough. Internal parasites such as heartworm, hookworm and roundworm could require a dose of anti-parasitic medication. More serious conditions such as a tracheal collapse are treatable through weight reduction, cough suppressants and sedatives, according to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Viruses such as kennel cough do not respond to antibiotics and usually clear on their own, but a cough suppressant might be given for relief.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Viruses such as kennel cough and distemper are preventable through yearly vaccinations. Keeping unvaccinated dogs away from kennel or shelter environments helps prevent the spread of the virus. Monthly topical medications prevent internal parasites such as heartworm. Feeding a healthy diet and taking your dog for regular vet check-ups helps build its immune system to fight infections and disease.